"Literally couldn't say a word" - Michael Phelps recalls meeting basketball icon Michael Jordan

Michael Phelps recently recalled meeting NBA legend Michael Jordan, explaining how he was left dumbfounded despite listing the questions he would ask the latter. Phelps retired from swimming in 2016 but is still associated with the sporting world, as he shares his analysis of athletes and events.

Michael Phelps, the greatest swimmer and Olympian of all time, amassed 28 Olympic medals. After winning five gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, he drew a line to his storied career. However, he still takes up different roles in the sporting domain, the most recent being the Hospitality ambassador at the Paris and Paralympic Games.

Avidly golfing into retirement and playing in tournaments, Phelps sat for a conversation with Run It Back on FanDuel TV to talk about fellow golfer Michael Jordan, whom Phelps has idolized since his younger days. When asked to share the story of meeting Jordan for the first time, the 23-time Olympic gold medalist said he couldn't find words and was left in awe of the greatness.

"I was on a golf channel show, talking about golf, and all of a sudden, he walks through the door. I couldn’t say anything and I didn’t know what to say. I was like, if I ever meet him, I’m gonna ask him all these questions. I couldn’t say anything, literally couldn’t say a word," he said. (7:51 onwards)

In a 2020 interview with Yahoo Sports, Phelps drew a parallel between himself and Jordan, explaining how he wanted to do in swimming whatever the latter did in basketball.

"For me, MJ was everything growing up. That was the guy I wanted to be. I wanted to do in swimming what he did in the sport of basketball. In my opinion, he completely changed and grew the sport of basketball to an unbelievable place and heights. That’s really what I kind of replicated my career off of," Phelps said.

Phelps retired with numerous accolades, including 11 American Swimmer of the Year awards and eight World Swimmer of the Year awards.

Michael Phelps once talked about playing golf with Michael Jordan

Michael Phelps playing at the Match 10 - (Source: Getty)

Associated with the sport since 2012, Michael Phelps found his rhythm in golf and often plays in celebrity-studded charity events. He recently starred in the mini TV series, The Match: Superstars.

However, he once shared the court with the NBA legend Michael Jordan at the latter's charity event in Aria. Speaking to Golf.com on January 30, 2024, he praised Jordan's golf skills despite beating him in a match-up.

Phelps said:

"He was playing like twice a day. I don’t know if he’s still playing as much as he used to. I remember I came out for a practice round the day before and he was like 72-69. And [Mario] Lemieux and I went out and beat him the next day. But it was crazy. His game is just so good. And his competitiveness comes out."

Phelps amassed 82 medals across major long-course competitions, of which 65 were gold, 14 silver, and the rest bronze.